Wisconsin Banking Rates and News

Last year when I first reported on the reward checking account at Frontier Bank, the online application allowed residents of three states to apply. Its online application now allows residents of 12 midwestern states to apply. This gives many more people access to a very competitive reward checking account. The reward checking is under the Kasasa brand, and it’s called Kasasa Cash. As of 3/18/2014, the account has a 3.05% APY on balances up to $20K if typical reward checking monthly requirements are met. There’s also a Kasasa Saver account...

Yesterday I reviewed the reward checking account at First American Bank. The bank has another checking account deal. This one is a checking account bonus that pays up to $160. The reward checking account doesn’t qualify. You have to open either its Optimal Checking or its Free Checking account. The promotion is scheduled to end on March 3, 2014. It does require quite a bit of work and time. The details are listed at this bank’s promotion page. Below is a summary of what’s required:

To earn the full $160, you’ll...

Bank of the West has again brought back its $150 checking account promotion. It looks like the same promotion they were offering last year. Just like the last one, there's also a $200 bonus, but that requires a checking account with high monthly service fees that can't be easily waived. These promotions are listed on Bank of the West's home page.

Details for the $150 bonus are listed in this Bank of the West promotions page. The checking account must be opened by 3/7/2014.

To qualify for the full $150 requires the...

Late last year First National Bank - Fox Valley in Wisconsin launched a reward checking and a savings account under the Kasasa brand. The rates and balance caps of these accounts are very competitive. It’s nice to see banks are continuing to introduce reward checking accounts with competitive rates. It shows that the reward checking type of account can still be sustainable. Hopefully, we’ll see more banks and credit unions offering their own reward checking/savings account in 2014.

First National Bank - Fox Valley has five Kasasa accounts. Two of the...

Last year in October Superior Choice Credit Union was offering an 18-month CD special. This year, the special is a 20-month CD, and the rate is 25 basis points higher. The new special is a 1.50% APY 20-month share certificate. Minimum deposit is $10,000, and new money is required. The early withdrawal penalty is 365 days of interest. This CD special is listed at the bottom of the credit union's rates page as of 10/18/2013.

Credit union membership is open to those who live or work in the Wisconsin counties of...

Today I came across another credit union that is allowing credit card purchases instead of debit card purchases to satisfy the requirements for its reward checking account. It’s Baxter Credit Union (BCU). Unfortunately, the credit union’s field of membership is limited, so not many will be able to join. Nevertheless, it’s good to see more reward checking options. Last year I reported on Southwest Airlines FCU’s reward checking account that allows members to use either debit or credit cards to satisfying the reward checking requirements.

BCU’s reward checking account is called...

Bank of the West has again brought back its $150 checking account promotion. It looks like the same promotion they were offering February. Just like the last one, there's also a $200 bonus, but that requires a checking account with high monthly service fees that can't be easily waived. These promotions are listed on Bank of the West's home page.

Details for the $150 bonus are listed in this Bank of the West promotions page. The checking account must be opened by 8/30/2013.

To qualify for the full $150 requires the following:

• Must...

BMO Harris Bank is offering a cash bonus of up to $200 for opening a personal checking account with qualifying direct deposit. Like most large banks, BMO Harris doesn't have a free checking account. So if you take advantage of this bonus, you'll have to be careful to avoid monthly service charges.

To qualify for the $200 bonus requires either the BMO Harris Portfolio Checking or the BMO Harris Select Checking. A $150 bonus requires the BMO Harris Everyday Checking.

Here's the link to the bank's promotion page: bmoharris.com/offerchecking2013.

The new checking account...

Bank of the West has recently brought back its $150 checking account promotion. It looks like the same promotion they were offering last summer. Just like the last one, there's also a $200 bonus, but that requires a checking account with high monthly service fees that can't be easily waived. These promotions are listed on Bank of the West's home page.

Details for the $150 bonus are listed in this Bank of the West promotions page. The checking account must be opened by 3/8/2013.

To qualify for the full $150 requires the...

AnchorBank is offering another checking account promotion with a bonus of up to $150. The bonus is larger than its summer promotion. This latest offer is listed in the bank's promotion page. It's scheduled to end on December 15, 2012.

The required activities include:

• $50 for setting up direct deposit
• $50 for enrolling in e-statements
• $50 for making three debit card purchases

The direct deposit, e-statement enrollment and debit card purchases must be completed within 60 days of account opening. Existing checking account customers are not eligible for the bonus. Another important note mentioned in...

Superior Choice Credit Union is offering a special 18-month share certificate with a 1.25% APY. Minimum deposit is $10,000, and new money is required. The early withdrawal penalty is 180 days of interest. This CD special is listed at the bottom of the credit union's share certificates rates page as of 10/29/2012.

Credit union membership is open to those who live or work in the Wisconsin counties of Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, and Iron. Also included are parts of the Minnesota counties of St. Louis and Carlton. Please refer to the...

Co-Op Credit Union is offering two CD and IRA CD specials with very competitive rates. These are a 1.25% APY 1-year CD and a 2.00% APY 4-year CD. The rates are 5 basis points higher for IRA CDs. Minimum deposit is $1,000. These rates are listed in the credit union certificates rates page as of 10/10/2012.

The early withdrawal penalty is 90 days of interest for the 1-year term and 180 days for the 4-year CD. This is listed at the bottom of the credit union's fee and disclosure page.

The credit...